Unity Through Complements

There were those in ancient times possessed of the One. Through possession of the One, the Heaven was clarified. Through possession of the One, The Earth was stabilized. Through possession of the One, the gods were spiritualized. Through possession of the One, the valleys were made full. Through possession of the One, all things lived and grew. Through possession of the One, the princes and dukes became the ennobled of the people. That was how each became so.

Without clarity, the Heavens would shake. Without stability, the Earth would quake. Without spiritual power, the gods would crumble. Without being filled, the valleys would crack. Without the life-giving power, all things would perish. Without the ennobling power, the princes and dukes would stumble. Therefore the nobility depend upon the common man for support, and the exalted ones depend upon the lowly for their base.

That is why the princes and dukes call themselves “the orphaned,” “the lonely one,” “the unworthy.” Is is not true then that they depend upon the common man for support? Truly, take down the parts of a chariot, and there is no chariot (left). Rather than jingle like the jade, rumble like the rocks.

(Tao Teh King 39)

There were those in ancient times possessed of the One.

Just as in the East it is understood that life (spirit) existed before matter, so also it is known that humanity did not begin as some semi-conscious beings, but that the first humans were the highest evolved of those that had retained human form from the previous creation cycle. Not only that, the earth was in such a state of high vibration that spiritual guides worked along with human beings in the re-establishing of human civilization. At that time the “material” creation also perfectly reflected its source, which was the infinite consciousness of the One–the Tao.

Through possession of the One, the Heaven was clarified.

The material creation, on the other hand, did begin in tremendous flux and change as the “cosmic soup” began to shape itself into the universe. However, in time perfect order was manifested since the creation itself is part of the Tao, and the Tao is Perfect Order.

Through possession of the One, The Earth was stabilized.

In the same way the earth itself became habitable and no longer subject to the upheavals that had characterized its existence previously. This, too, was a mirroring of the Tao.

Through possession of the One, the gods were spiritualized.

The sentient beings, both incarnate and discarnate, began to function in the manner calculated to evolve and ultimately liberate them into higher realms of existence and life. This included the guardian spirits whose evolution consisted in guiding the sentient beings through subliminal direction.

Through possession of the One, the valleys were made full.

Vegetation and animal life abounded in places suitable for their survival.

Through possession of the One, all things lived and grew.

In time human beings appeared, not through evolution of form but as the specific, unique creation of those guiding and supervising intelligence known in the East as the Creator Mothers and in the Bible as the Elohim.

Through possession of the One, the princes and dukes became the ennobled of the people.

After more time, humans began to more and more live interdependently and society emerged along with culture and government. This necessitated leaders which at that time rose to their position by the recognition of their superior abilities by the people themselves, and not through personal ambition.

That was how each became so.

Naturally, this all took incalculable time and was of tremendous complexity.

But what happens when the Tao begins to fade in Its influence and in the consciousness of human beings?

Without clarity, the Heavens would shake.Without stability, the Earth would quake.
Without spiritual power, the gods would crumble.
Without being filled, the valleys would crack.
Without the life-giving power, all things would perish.
Without the ennobling power, the princes and dukes would stumble.

Degeneration is the key word for that which follows the weakening of the Tao’s influence in organic and inorganic life

Therefore the nobility depend upon the common man for support, and the exalted ones depend upon the lowly for their base.

In human society worthiness is no longer recognized, so leaders depend on the cooperation of the general populace without regard to their qualifications. In fact, as human life degrades, it is the strong and ruthless that come to rule over a society that fears them and yet depends on them for order and safety–often without obtaining either order or safety. Then wars arise between the leaders and the populace is sacrificed accordingly.

Yes, they call themselves that is a formal, ceremonial way, but of course they neither mean it, nor do they act accordingly.

Is is not true then that they depend upon the common man for support?

Is it not strange that tyrants depend upon the people they enslave and repress? Without them these potentates would be nothing and powerless. So at all times it is the people who empower their rulers and officials, though to their detriment and even destruction. Ironic, is it not?

There is a spiritual side to this which can benefit us. In the individual there are also elements that obey and others that rule. In the life of the yogi the highest spiritual states depend on the elementary observances of moral and ethical conduct. No one ever is above the basics of right thought, speech and conduct. The greatest mystic in the world is totally dependent upon the fundamental principles of spiritual life which include codes of conduct in the simplest level of his life.

Truly, take down the parts of a chariot, and there is no chariot (left).

Chan: “Therefore enumerate all the parts of a chariot as you may, and you still have no chariot.”

Spiritual life and its fruition in enlightenment is not a simple, single entity, but rather it consists of many indispensable elements, all of which are interdependent. It is like a tree. A tree consists of bark, wood, roots, branches and leaves. All together they make up a tree; but take one away and the tree dies and decays and in time there is no tree. The tree cannot exist independently of any element. Spiritual life is the same. Therefore the spiritual aspirant must ensure that not a single facet of spiritual life is omitted or neglected. Otherwise he fails in his quest for higher consciousness.

Rather than jingle like the jade, rumble like the rocks.

In China at the time of Lao Tzu jade was perhaps the single most prized substance for objects of art. Single, large lumps of jade were very rare, so jade objects were relatively small, and if put together in a container they would strike against one another, tinkle or jingle and would certainly crack if handled roughly. On the other hand, boulders crash and rumble and are virtually unbreakable and immovable. So Lao Tzu is telling us not to be like jade, however attractive or precious society may consider it to be, but rather be like stone: substantial, strong and endurant.

About OCOY.org

This site presents the path of meditation and practical spiritual life and is a service of Light of the Spirit Monastery (Atma Jyoti Ashram), which is located in Cedar Crest, New Mexico, USA.

Dedication of OCOY.org

This site is inspired by and dedicated to Paramhansa Yogananda, who introduced yoga meditation and the goal of self realization to the American people, and whose writings reveal the underlying unity of original Christianity and original Yoga.